India Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details

Customs Rules

Free import (import by non-residents, however, is only permitted if they enter India for a stay of not less than 24 hours and not more than 6 months, provided they visit India not more than once a month)a. persons of 17 years of age and older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco; 2 litres of alcoholic liquor or wine;b. medicines in reasonable quantities;c. 2 ounces of perfume and 1/4 litre of toilet water;d. jewelry, up to a combined value of INR 50,000.- for male travelers or INR 100,000.- for female travelers; e. travel souvenirs imported by:- nationals and residents of India or if being of Indian origin provided being 10 years of age or older:- if returning from Bhutan, China (People's Rep.), Myanmar or Nepal: up to INR 6,000.- if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: nil.- if returning from other countries: up to INR 35,000.- if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: INR 15,000.-.Persons under 10 years are allowed 1/4 of the value admitted to adults.- nationals of, or being of origin, Bhutan and Nepal and coming from respective countries: nil. If coming from other countries: up to INR 8,000.-- nationals of, or being of origin, Pakistan and coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.-. If coming from other countries: up to INR 8,000.-.- all other nationals: up to INR 8,000.-. If coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.-.f. goods for personal use.

Goods in excess of the maximum permitted amount will be subject to an import duty of 60%.

Radio controlled helicopters: only those operating at 27 MHz are permitted. Those operating on other bands will be inspected on a case by case basis and could be destoyed based on their technical specifications.

Livestock and livestock products: the import of these, by any means including cargo or baggage is restricted and requires a sanitary import permit, as well as a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC). A NOC must be obtained in advance from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS). Products include:- meat and meat products of all kinds of fresh, chilled and frozen meat, tissue or organs;- egg and egg powder;- milk and milk products;- bovine, ovine and caprine embryos, ova or semen;- pet foods of animal origin;- gelatin, fur, animal skin, wool, leather, carpets, horns, bone and bone grist, feathers, shuttle cock etc.Prohibited: the following livestock and livestock products:- all kinds of birds and bird products (incl. eggs, feathers, meat etc.); and- pigs and pig meat products.

A minimum of 48 hours is required by the Airport Health Office for the importation of human remains or ashes. A death certificate is also required (in English or translated into English). A death certificate indicating cause of death as unknown or pending will not be accepted. Please contact airline for further requirements that apply to the carriage and importation of bodies.

Cats and Dogs: import of a max. of two pets as baggage is allowed only: a. through Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Delhi (DEL), Kolkata (CCU), Mumbai (BOM) and Hyderabad (HYD); andb. if a pet is being imported for the first time by an owner owner who is transferring residence to India, after a minimum two years of continuous stay abroad; orif the pet is being re-imported into India; andc. upon presentation of health certificates from country of origin; and d. presentation of a "No Objection Certificate (NOC) arranged at least 15 days prior to import from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS); ande. after Quarantine Officer examination upon arrival. In all other cases, a license from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) is required.

Foreign currencies : up to the amount imported and declared.Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR): INR 7,500.- for residents of India, except when departing to Bhutan and Nepal. For residents departing to Bhutan and Nepal: no limit in amount of INR but notes no bigger than INR 100.- may be carried.